This is important stuff, and it made me think about the words I say at the end of each podcast episode: “The world needs your art, now go and make somebody’s day”.

I say that you are an Artist BECAUSE you have the power to unleash your art on other people. When I talk about art in this context I mean: bring something into the world that didn’t exist before. Hoping to prod and poke the fabric of the status quo.

As a human, and an artist in this context the simplest thing you can possible “make” is somebody else’s day.

When I read Laura’s Twitter thread a few things popped into my mind:

We shouldn’t be slaves to nice comments and likes. But they can certainly help communicate support. And they gently reasurre us that what we’re doing matters to other people too.

We must never do our work or act on stuff because we think it’ll gain likes and please people. Instead be motivated by the message that drives us and one we believe in. Not everyone will like it; it might even annoy some people, and we must be OK with that. It just reminds us that we need a deeper sense of why we believe in what we do, make, share etc.

We must not see like buttons as meaningful connection with the heart of what someone else is doing. There is more to do.

We must avoid the temptation to create strategies and blueprints by expecting mutual support. i.e I’ll scratch your back, you scratch mine.

I was also reminded of Adam Grant’s book, Give and Take, which is a brilliant resource for thinking about this stuff. He introduces the idea that people are generally one of three things: Givers, Takers or Matchers. The most successful people in life are givers, and the least successful people are also givers.

Self-Promotion?

I first started this podcast (a long time ago!) as a way of promoting independent artists and bands that sit outside the mainstream. It was a part of a philosophy I developed over a few years of trying to get my own music “out there”.

One that had become self-evident in my life:

The most sustainable way to promote your own work, is to promote other people. If you believe in what you are doing and want support, then the best thing you can do is stop talking about it. Turn the spotlight on others. Quality support will naturally come your way as a result.

In this episode I talk about why this is a solid philosophy to live by. And how we can use it to improve the world. And also how not to use it!

Over to You

Who are you going to support this week? Feel free to share your thoughts on these ideas below. Or just go and give your time and energy to the recipient of your encouragement!